A "predatory" Dunedin lawyer who stole $2.8 million from 32 clients over 21 years in one of the longest-running frauds in NZ history has today been jailed for more than eight years.

Dunedin Botanic Garden staff are on high alert following a break-in by someone they believe was looking for hallucinogenic drug-producing cacti.

Dripping blood on to the road, Alice Wylie chased man who violently tore away her handbag. "I have seen a lot of things, but I have never seen evil before."

A former Auckland lawyer has been struck off after being convicted of theft, the Law Society says.

The hero mum-of-six who suffered serious head injuries as she came to the aid of a shopper being mugged says she has been given a second chance at life.

They say life imitates art. But sometimes, it appears, it imitates artists.

Dunedin musician Mike Moroney was "a little bit dumbstruck" when he arrived home on Wednesday evening to find that burglars had stolen seven of his stringed musical instruments.

A now-bankrupt insurance broker who shared a kickback with a senior Bunnings manager in order to keep the store's business has been jailed for four years.

A Dunedin lawyer has today admitted being behind a Ponzi scheme where he stole $2.8 million from clients over 21 years.

What would you do if more than $100,000 suddenly appeared in your bank account? An Auckland man appeared in court yesterday over his ill-fated decision.

A terrified Auckland mother was bashed in the head after confronting an intruder she found standing over her baby's cot on Father's Day, police say.

An elderly couple are "terrified" to be in their own home after thieves followed them from a supermarket and broke in while they slept to steal their Eftpos card.

A senior manager at the Auckland District Health Board and a security guard allegedly stole nearly $385,000 of taxpayers' money.

An Auckland lawyer who admitted stealing almost $300k from three clients has been jailed for two and a half years today.

An illegal immigrant who gained New Zealand residency with a false Australian passport - and was charged with holding three other false passports - is on the run.

Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz, who is currently promoting a new film about a homemade sex tape going public, has called the leak of nude and explicit images of dozens of female celebrities 'a major violation'.

A terrified bank worker allegedly had a machete held to the throat during an armed hold-up this week.

Incubators, beds and $25,000 worth of laundry are among items missing from district health boards in the past year.

Police have confirmed investigating the burglary of Rodney MP Mark Mitchell's office.

Children may have been put at risk when they were transported in a car with a sawn-off shotgun concealed under a mat, police say.

Blues rugby player Peter Saili is alleged to have beaten a 13-year-old boy whom he caught burgling his home.